Camille Naredo

The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, resumes the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Wendell D. Alinea, Senate Social Media Unit

The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, resumed the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, to hear National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag testify on Article IV of the Articles of Impeachment, which covers the alleged grave threats against President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
Lead House prosecutor Rep. Gerville Luistro presented Matibag before the impeachment court to testify on the ongoing investigation of the NBI Special Task Force formed to look into the threat against the President and the statements issued by Vice President Sara Duterte.
Wendell D. Alinea, Senate Social Media Unit

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VP Sara Impeachment

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<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178522424676520260722-senate-impeachment-day8-SSMU-WA-29.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, resumes the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Wendell D. Alinea, Senate Social Media Unit"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, resumes the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. <em>Wendell D. Alinea, Senate Social Media Unit</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- The prosecution has agreed to the proposal to alternate with the defense panel in the presentation of the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte.</p><p>&quot;Agree daw sila na on a per article basis [ang presentation],&quot; said Atty. Reginald Tongol, spokesperson for the Senate impeachment court. &quot;Prosecution then defense, and then we move on to the next article after the presentation of the defense.&quot;</p><p>Parties have previously agreed to a format wherein the prosecution would first present its witnesses and evidence on all articles, before the court shifts to the defense. </p><p>Defense spokesperson and counsel Atty. Michael Poa revealed last weekend that they have received a proposal to change the trial flow.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/25/defense-weighing-proposal-to-present-witnesses-first-in-duterte-impeachment-trial-0946">READ: Defense weighing proposal to alternate presentation of witnesses, evidence in impeachment trial</a></div><p>According to Tongol, the Senate impeachment court is now waiting for feedback from the defense panel.</p><p>&quot;As to the defense po, &#x27;yung respondent, wala pa po tayong nare-receive na any formal manifestation regarding that matter,&quot; he said on Tuesday. </p><p>Their decision could have an impact on Wednesday&#x27;s hearing, Tongol added. </p><p>&quot;Siyempre, kung &#x27;yun na &#x27;yung magiging basehan o rule natin sa pagpapresenta ng ebidensya, then hindi muna ipe-presenta &#x27;yung Article 1,&quot; he explained. </p><p>The prosecution panel has completed its presentation of evidence and witnesses on the article on &quot;grave threats,&quot; and is now expected to proceed on the next article involving Vice President Duterte&#x27;s alleged confidential funds.</p><p>Poa has said that they will consult with Duterte as to their response. He nonetheless sees &quot;pros and cons&quot; with either format.</p><p>&quot;I think by next week, we&#x27;ll have our answer,&quot; Poa said in an interview on DZMM last Saturday.</p><p>Lead House Prosecutor and Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro also sees <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/27/luistro-sees-advantage-in-alternating-presentation-of-evidence-between-defense-prosecution-1550">advantages and disadvantages</a> should the trial flow be changed, but stressed that their priority is for people to understand the pieces of evidence that they present.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/25/prosecution-ready-if-senate-orders-duterte-camp-to-present-defense-first-1553">READ: Prosecution ready if Senate orders Duterte camp to present defense first</a></div><p>Tongol, for his part, said that a change in the trial format will not necessarily lead to a quicker verdict or a drastic change to its overall timeline. </p><p>&quot;Under sa Senate impeachment rules natin, kailangan tapusin po lahat ng articles bago magkaroon ng voting on the final question,&quot; he said. &quot;And then, only after the presentation of both parties are finished, doon lamang sila magbo-botohan on a per article basis.&quot;</p><p>The impeachment court will begin its revised trial schedule on Wednesday, with the proceedings starting at 10:00 a.m. </p><div><strong>-- report from RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><em></em><br/></div>

<p>The prosecution has agreed to the proposal to alternate with the defense panel in the presentation of the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte.</p>

The prosecution has agreed to the proposal to alternate with the defense panel in the presentation of the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte.

Senate impeachment court awaits defense's response on revised presentation sequence

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Senate impeachment court awaits defense's response on revised presentation sequence

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Published July 28, 2026 03:39 PM PHT

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